This year’s Olympia competition will feature record prize money. The total? $800,000, a slight increase of $45,000 over the 2008 Olympia.

AMI, America Media Inc., took over the Olympia in 2004. At that time, total prize money was $540,000.

IFBB Chairman Jim Manion said. “They are giving more back to the bodybuilders than anyone ever has. All the female competitors should be happy because the increased prize money makes everybody even across the board. The IFBB professional League is happy to be working with AMI in such a positive relationship as we continue to move bodybuilding forward in honor of Ben Weider.”